A former AFL hopeful, rising rugby league talent and rugby convert are among a trio of athletes from Australia and New Zealand selected for the NFL’s ‘2023 International Player Pathway’ program.
Patrick Murtagh (Australia), Etuale Lui (New Zealand) and Talitiga Amosa (Australia) are the three rewarded for strong showings at the recent NFL International Combine, held in England back in October.
The three will now travel to the United States in January, where they will train for 10 weeks and be given the chance to impress NFL scouts throughout March.
The hope is that all three will be selected to be allocated to an NFL practice squad or will sign as a free agent through the IPP program after the 2023 NFL Draft.
If not, a minimum of one of the NFL’s divisions will be randomly selected to receive the international players from the 2023 program.
From there they will compete at training camp for a spot in the 53-man roster and even if they miss out, they will be eligible for a spot in the squad thanks to the international player practice squad exemption.
It essentially means that the assigned team will be allowed an extra practice squad member, although they would only be able to be activated to the active roster that season under certain parameters.
“The International Player Pathway program is an important part of our continued focus on growing the game globally and creating a pathway for international athletes to play in the NFL,” Charlotte Offord, general manager of NFL Australia, said.
“We are delighted to see these three talented athletes representing Australia and New Zealand on the International Player Pathway for 2023 and competing for a future spot on an NFL roster.”
Murtagh, delisted by the Gold Coast Suns back in September, is a state decathlon champion and looking to use his athletic profile to make his mark in the NFL as a tight end.
That would be a change from the various other Australians like Arryn Siposs, Michael Dickson, Jordan Mailata and Daniel Faalele who have made a name for themselves in the NFL as punters and offensive tackles.
Lui, a former junior Kiwi and promising Wests Tigers prospect, is listed as a defensive lineman and looking to follow a similar path to Mailata and Faalele.
The 21-year-old, who grew up in New Zealand, also does not have any American Football experience having been raised in a family of rugby league and union players.
Lui, who most recently played for Queensland Cup team Wynnum Manly, may be entering a journey into the unknown but he can take plenty of confidence from Mailata in particular.
The Philadelphia Eagles left tackle left Australia as a blank canvas and has since gone on to sign a $64 million extension, capping off a remarkable rise for the ex-rugby league prospect.
As for Amosa, he is also listed as a defensive linemen but already has experience under his belt, having played for the German Football League’s (GFL) Berlin Rebels in 2022.
The 275-pound (125-kilogram) 24-year-old was born in Australia and played back-rower for Moorabbin Rams in Victoria.
Like Faalele, who was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens, Amosa was also coached at Conquest Fitness by Dave Tuinauvai.
He was then introduced to former University of Hawaii Offensive Line Coach Chris Naeole — and an NFL dream was born.
Now Amosa, along with Lui and Murtagh, are one step closer to making that dream a reality.
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